TA.b Quickie - Lucid Motors begins deliveries of the Air Dream Edition EVs

Lucid has begun deliveries of its first EV, the Air Dream Edition and yes the first cars are loaded with everything but the kitchen sink. Lucid made headlines with the Air Dream Edition models that were the first EPA-rated EVs to exceed 500 miles of range (520 mile-range for the Dream Edition Range model with 19-inch wheels). Looks like the Tesla Model S has some strong competition. Of course it doesn't hurt that the Air models are a new design and the Model S is getting a little long-in-the-tooth (few design changes in almost a decade). Of course many will argue that if you design it right, you don't need updates but that had less meaning when there was no competition. Admittedly, the Lucid Air is more expensive than the Model S but it looks and acts more expensive. In fact it has been reported that the Air Dream Edition's competition is in fact the Model S Plaid due in part to the Air Dream Edition's 1,110 hp and and 0-60 time of 2.42 seconds. And the pricing is much closer, but the Lucid Air looks to be a better deal when comparing fitments, etc. It's great to see the EV market continue to grow. For more info, click on "read more" below to view the media release and a "We are Lucid" video. The first 500+ vehicles are being delivered and the Grand Touring and Pure Air models will follow.

Source: Lucid Motors - Media release, pics,

Hertz orders 100,000 Tesla Model 3 EVs with half available to Uber drivers

Hertz announced its latest foray into the EV marketplace with an order of 100,000 Tesla Model 3 sedans that will be added to Hertz's rental vehicle fleet. Interestingly, half (50,000 EVs) will be available to Uber drivers to be used in major city markets. "Climate change is an urgent global challenge we must all tackle together, and now is the time to drive a green recovery from the pandemic," said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. "This combines the power of Tesla, Hertz and Uber to help accelerate the transition to zero-emissions mobility. We look forward to seeing more EVs on the road right away." Hertz has even gone so far as to enlist the help of Tom Brady to introduce the new initiative with TV (and internet) commercials (after the jump). The Hertz announcement caused Tesla's stock to hit new heights and increased Tesla's overall valuation to more than most automakers except Volkswagen and Toyota. Lofty heights indeed. Beginning in early November and expanding through the end of the year, customers will be able to rent a Tesla Model 3 at Hertz airport and neighborhood locations in U.S. major markets and select cities in Europe. This gives consumers more choice and can even allow one to make a rental "test drive" by renting a Model 3 and living with it for a period of time. Kinda cool. For more info, check out the media releases, and Hertz commercial by clicking on "read more" below. Enjoy! No word if the Hertz Model 3s will all be white.

Source: Hertz - Media releases, pics, and commercial

Honda debuts new sport-focused Civic Si for 2022

Honda took the wraps off of the new CIvic Si sedan that has been redesigned for 2022. The Si model has received all of the updates of "lesser" Civics plus a new turbocharged VTEC engine and the availability of a standard six-speed manual transmission. In the olden days, Honda performance models did not offer automatics due to the simple fact that the automatics that Honda had on hand, could not handle the extra power. In fact many of Honda's performance automatic models had reduced engine power. Most other automakers either develop automatics that can handle the power or they buy them from other firms. Honda, just go out and buy automatics that can handle the extra power.  And while you're at it, get dual-clutch automatics that mimic a manual transmission and get superior fuel efficiency. Or even better yet, go electric,,,you're going to  have to anyway regardless of what Toyota's chairman thinks (google it). The Si Civic is comparable to VW's GTI models. Performance is more balanced with improved handling and straight-line "go" than standard Civics, but not as on-the-edge as the Type S models. This should give potential buyers a well-rounded driving experience. Standard equipment includes the 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine (200 hp, 192 lb./ft. of torque), the six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching, sports seats with red accents, sport mode system, Bose audio, upgraded sport suspension, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Honda Sense, a 9-inch touchscreen, Honda's latest safety equipment and tech. and more. Prices weren't released, but prices should start around $30 to $35k plus options, fees, taxes, license, etc. Oh, and the Blazing Orange Pearl paint (shown) is an Si exclusive. If the new Civic Si sedan is your cup of tea, check with your local dealer as the Si models will arrive soon (if not already there). For more specific info, pics, and a brief video, click on "read more" below.

Source: Honda - Media release, pics, and video

Alpha Motors shows Wolf EV pickup at the Petersen Automotive Museum

 

 

Just a quick (ish) look at the Alpha Motors Wolf EV pickup that is currently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Yes folks, they're hanging in there. Alpha has interesting designs (drawn from the same basic shape and platform) and  many of us are pulling for them to succeed. Enjoy!

Source: Alpha Motors/YouTube

Lexus upgrades the all-new 2022 NX crossover

Lexus has updated the 2022 NX crossover with a new size, new tech, a plug-in hybrid, and much cleaner styling. It's as if the previous generation was trying to be funky (in a good way) and failing...miserably. All of the major dimensions have been increased for more comfort and room for stuff. Four powertrains are available starting with the NX250's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (with start/stop functionality) that is mated to an eight-speed transmission (available in both FWD and AWD options), produces 203 horsepower and 184 lb. ft. of torque (resulting in 0-60 times of 8.2 seconds (FWD) and 8.6 seconds (AWD), while having an EPA-estimated 28 combined mpg. The NX350 gets the the 2.4L turbo (275 horsepower and 317 lb. ft. of torque) mated to a new eight-speed transmission that gets to 60 in 6.6 seconds with an EPA-estimated 25 MPG combined. Next up is the NX350h with the fuel injected 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two high-torque electric drive motor-generators (instead of transfer gears and a driveshaft to the rear wheels). Drivers will also notice the quicker 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds, a full 1.5 seconds quicker than the previous generation hybrid. The updated hybrid powertrain produces 239 combined system horsepower, while on its way to a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds with a combined EPA-estimated 39 MPG. The big newbie here is the new NX450h+ plug-in hybrid, a first for the NX series. has an EPA-estimated 36-mile range on electric power only, made possible by the new high-capacity lithium-ion battery. The system achieves the output equivalent to a 2.0-liter engine for an EPA-estimated combined 84 MPGe. The NX450+ delivers on the performance luxury consumers are seeking with an estimated 6.0 second 0-60 time. All the tech and safety features have been upgraded with Lexus' latest (see media release). The new NX250 starts at $37,950 (plus taxes, license, fees, options, and $1,075 destination) all the way up to $55,560+ for the NX450+. Prices seem a bit steep especially for the plug-in hybrid model but it's up to you to determine a car's value and affordability. Is Lexus trying to dissuade folks from buying the plug-in hybrid model? Who knows, but you'd think they'd have the whole hybrid thing down which would help reduce prices. If this looks like your kind of crossover, click on "read more" below to view the media release (with tech and safety info) and a video. Enjoy!

Source: Lexus - Media release, pics, and video.

TA.b Quickie - Volvo begins production of the C40 Recharge EV

I recently posted about the new C40 Recharge compact crossover coupe EV (click on previous post below) that Volvo had announced for production. Actual production started recently in Volvo's plant in Ghent, Belgium. As you may remember, the C40 Recharge shares a body and platform with Volvo's first fully-electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge crossover. To lose the X, the C40 takes a more "coupe"-like profile than the more upright XC40 Recharge. The C40 Recharge is expected to have about 250+ miles of range due to better aerodynamics, smaller wheels, and battery and system tweaking compared to the XC40 EV. The XC40 Recharge has also received range increases for 2022. “The C40 Recharge is a car that represents our future,” said Javier Varela, senior vice president for industrial operations and quality at Volvo Cars. “Our manufacturing operations and a close collaboration with our suppliers are key in achieving our future ambitions in terms of electrification and climate neutrality. Our Ghent plant is ready for an all-electric future and will be an important part of our global industrial network for the years to come.” This is one I can't wait to see up close and personal. For more info, click on "read more" below to view the media release, and a couple of C40 Recharge pics More to come...

Source: Volvo - Media release, pics, and C40 Recharge video. Previous post.

AVWWG - BMW shows all-new 2-Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid

Another one from the Another Vehicle We Won't Get files, is BMW's new 2-Series Active Tourer people and things mover/crossover/wagon/van...whatever. Which is probably why the Active Tourer hasn't made it's way across the pond. There are plenty of other 2-Series models (sedans and coupes) and let's not forget one of BMW's better looking vehicles, the X2. I guess you've figured out that the number nomenclature denotes size, in this case, compact. But this new Active Tourer model is a spacious compact that is a plug-in hybrid. Good fuel economy numbers (between 40 and 50 mpg Imperial) could land the 2-Series Active Tourer on the new-car lists of many families. One problem BMW has in the US, is that the automaker is seen as a prestige or luxury brand where as in much of the rest of the world, BMW covers every market segment including bread-and-butter cars. The blue car shown here is the 230e Active Tourer with the bigger engine and motor for a combined 325 hp (approximately) between the gas engine and the hybrid system. Should be quick. With gas prices through the roof here (although they are even higher in Europe) BMW should consider bringing a few Active Tourer models for US consumption. But since the cars would be built in Europe, they wouldn't be cheap and that could be the barrier to importation. And being a BMW, the 2_sseries Active Tourers are well-equipped and can be optioned to the hilt. One nice feature is the inclusion of BW/s curved display in the dash. While the design is not BMW's best, it is serviceable and might do well here if the pricing is sorted out. Click on "read more" below for more info on the 2-Series Active Tourer's specifics, a walk-around video, and highlight pics that are clickable for a closer look. We shall see. (BTW: I got this info from BMW's global site not the US site)

Source: BMW - Media release, pics, and video

Toyota unveils new 2022 Corolla Cross as it arrives at dealerships

This is what happens when carmakers continually make the next generation of vehicles larger than the last...they have to intro new models to fill in the gaps in their line-ups that previous vehicles have vacated. As a result, we have the compact Toyota Corolla Cross crossover. It's an attractive crossover but why the Corolla connection (are they going to count sales numbers together with the sedan/hatch)? Anyway, the Corolla Cross is well-equipped and competitively priced and will come in three trim levels, L ($22,195 + taxes, license, fees, destination, options), LE ($24,545+) and XLE ($26,325+). Prices jump by $1,300 for All-wheel drive. The only engine combo at this point is the naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four that makes 169 hp mated to a CVT (continuously-variable transmission) for efficiency. As equipped the Corolla Cross can tow up to 1,500 lbs. There's lots of standard equipment and each trim level adds more equipment. Options include premium audio, sunroof, and the STAR safety package. Obviously you can spend bucks, but it won't break the bank and that's the idea. Click on "read more" to view the extensive media release for equipment levels and options, two additional pics, and an overview video. The 2022 Corolla Cross is in production now at the Mazda Toyota plant in Alabama. The vehicles should be at your local dealer any day, Choices, choices... Where's the hybrid model, BTW?

Source: Toyota - Media release, pics, and video